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Re: [Amps] [ham-amplifiers] Vacuum relay question

To: ham-amplifiers@groups.io
Subject: Re: [Amps] [ham-amplifiers] Vacuum relay question
From: Adrian Fewster <vk4tux@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2025 11:31:01 +1000
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Probably a resistive short similar to usual load.

73

vk4tux

On Wed, 5 Nov 2025, 9:54 am Alek Petkovic via groups.io, <vk6apk=
bigpond.com@groups.io> wrote:

> With the way you describe the symptoms, I can't begin to work out what is
> happening.
>
> When you pull the failed relay, have you ever tested it out of circuit?
> That is, powered it and measured with an ohm meter to see if the contacts
> are moving to verify if it is a coil or contact problem.
>
> Do you have speed up circuits (high volts and series resistor) in your
> amps?
>
> Have you smashed or cut one open to see what has failed?
>
> I'm at a loss but I'll follow the thread with great interest.
>
> Cheers, Alek VK6APK.
> On 5/11/2025 7:17 am, Tim Duffy K3LR wrote:
>
> A few times in the past 30 years the output relay of my single band
> amplifiers have failed.
>
> They are used pulls – HC1 and RJ1. Typically from MGS.
>
> I am not upset that they fail – they have a finite life, but my question
> is – how they fail.
>
>
>
> RF output goes to zero – and the meters (plate and grid) continue to look
> normal. That is just strange to me.
>
>
>
> When the output relay fails – why doesn’t the amplifier go nuts – drawing
> excessive current, etc.?
>
>
>
> I always have 25 mS of TX delay – so the RF is never “hot switched”.
>
>
>
> 73
>
> Tim K3LR
>
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